I reluctantly left Sieben Linden in Northern Germany one week ago. It was my first experience at a 'real' eco-village - my first glimpse at a working community that really walks its talk. You can read the English overview of Sieben Linden (Seven Elms) here.
Similar to my own experience with WinSol3 - albeit on a much larger scale, Sieben Linden proves that any thing is possible with vision and determination. It also has room for improvement which is continuously taking place.
What I saw in my very short stay, was truly amazing and heartening!
Before I arrived at Sieben Linden, I wondered if I would encounter an Amish-like village, an extended hippie-like village, or a modern uber-permaculture village. Yes, all of that and more! Anyone that thinks this is a modern 'hippie' community making a statement is mistaken: Sieben Linden embodies cutting-edge building technologies along with proven low-tech and ancient methodologies, while encompassing a learning center, profitable businesses, connections to surrounding communities, a working vision of what is possible within a super low carbon footprint, + + +
Putting my penchant for technical eco-building + energy systems aside; it was the synergy of the community of people, the ambience and spirit of the place that impacted me most. Maybe it had something to do with my meditative walk in the woods: It just felt right.
Sieben Linden is a living example of what a persistent and loving, enlightened group of people can do. They sure had a difficult road to hoe getting where they are now. It seems that persistence with all the mainstream barriers is the key in developing all these communities.
Sieben Linden is a living example of what a persistent and loving, enlightened group of people can do. They sure had a difficult road to hoe getting where they are now. It seems that persistence with all the mainstream barriers is the key in developing all these communities.
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I don't even know where to begin explaining all the things that I observed at Sieben Linden. I'll start with a couple things here and expand on them later. Here's a picture of one of the multi-unit buildings complete with snow-shedding solar PV and SHW panels, on-site straw-bale and massive timber construction, note the south facing window/atrium areas:
Permaculture with resultant synergies is prevalent in throughout Sieben Linden. Everything has multiple purposes and all parts are integrated within the whole. A sense of community togetherness, flexibility, tolerance, give and take, along with privacy was evident. Everyone had specific responsibilities to the community and to each other, to doing daily tasks, and yet were free to be on their own if they wished so. This is common in most co-housing communities, but here it seemed more free-flowing.
Here's a picture of the contrasts at Sieben Linden. In the foreground is a funky living wagon and in the background is a state of the art multi-unit 'PassivHaus' with multi-channel broadband-monitored control system and hi-tech heat recovery HVAC system.
Community within Community
The vetting process at Sieben Linden intrigued me. I'll talk how one gets to be a member within Sieben Linden later. Once you are accepted you need to establish your own community within the community. There was an entire area of 'living wagons' that appeared almost like our western cliche of 'circling the covered wagons'. Residents of these wagons are encouraged to mingle and find like-minded people to devise a development plan to build a larger community house. Again this appears confusing until one is there.
To back up, Sieben Linden consists basically of about ~7 very large multi-residential units, NO middle sized units, ~20+ tiny to small homes, and ~15 living wagons. There is also one very large central building and a connected common building. This is for about 85 people (35 kids). These are all on an area no larger than 15+ acres with an adjoining 50+ acre forest that cannot be developed.
So the concept of temporary living wagons is quite organic on many dimensions. It allows individuals and couples to be part of the community while at the same time they are coalescing (collaborating) within as much time as they need, to find kindred spirits they can co-habitate together with and to build one large multi-unit housing together. There is no rush, no deadline. It needs to work for the long term. These small living wagons can be easily moved around, and 'adjusted' based on members' and community needs. This temporary community within a community grows, shrinks, moves, as needed. Very much like a natural eco-system transition zone.
To back up, Sieben Linden consists basically of about ~7 very large multi-residential units, NO middle sized units, ~20+ tiny to small homes, and ~15 living wagons. There is also one very large central building and a connected common building. This is for about 85 people (35 kids). These are all on an area no larger than 15+ acres with an adjoining 50+ acre forest that cannot be developed.
So the concept of temporary living wagons is quite organic on many dimensions. It allows individuals and couples to be part of the community while at the same time they are coalescing (collaborating) within as much time as they need, to find kindred spirits they can co-habitate together with and to build one large multi-unit housing together. There is no rush, no deadline. It needs to work for the long term. These small living wagons can be easily moved around, and 'adjusted' based on members' and community needs. This temporary community within a community grows, shrinks, moves, as needed. Very much like a natural eco-system transition zone.
Construction of the buildings appears to be a community effort - mostly on-site community members along with the general public. While I didn't get to observe this on my short visit, there was a small public workshop for a new building going on. It appears to be a combination of old fashioned barn raising with a little help from industrial strength cranes:
Short version of Sieben Linden's vetting process:
You can look over their web site and get the specific details, but my memory in listening to their process is: One first joins a workshop, then an extended workshop/project. Then one (applies for?) is accepted for a 3 month stay. After this stay 66% of the residents need to be positive about wanting this person to continue the process. The person then makes an application and a presentation for a 1 year living on-site committment. Again, after a 66% acceptance, and after the 1 year period, the person can then apply for full-time residence. The final approval is again done with an application, presentation and 66% approval. Whew! (i hope i got this right). There are only about 10 people accepted each year to live at Sieben Linden, and I understand there is a VERY long waiting list.
You can look over their web site and get the specific details, but my memory in listening to their process is: One first joins a workshop, then an extended workshop/project. Then one (applies for?) is accepted for a 3 month stay. After this stay 66% of the residents need to be positive about wanting this person to continue the process. The person then makes an application and a presentation for a 1 year living on-site committment. Again, after a 66% acceptance, and after the 1 year period, the person can then apply for full-time residence. The final approval is again done with an application, presentation and 66% approval. Whew! (i hope i got this right). There are only about 10 people accepted each year to live at Sieben Linden, and I understand there is a VERY long waiting list.
btw: there's even a connection to Sieben Linden with WinSol3! While I was showing my pictures + the operational plans for WinSol3 and showing it's location within the 7L pioneer ranching area - Nicoletta commented that 7L stood for Sieben Linden (SevenL)! My heart skipped a beat at that realization.
I cannot conclude this first Sieben Linden blog without extending a heartfelt thanks to Michael and Julia for allowing me to visit, and to Nicoletta for being my wonderful host, putting up with my endless questions and curiosity, and made some wonderful second-chance recycled momentos for me; and to Ole who has an inspiring viewpoint on all things eco, green building and is actually doing it with his rocket stove, PAHS (Passive Annual Heat Storage) house concept and much more!
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